Sunday, 1 November 2009Aung San Suu Kyi (file photo)A lawyer for Burma's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi saysshe has been informed of the upcoming visit of two senior U.S.officials and is preparing to meet them.
The U.S. StateDepartment said Friday that Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbelland his deputy, Scot Marciel, will visit Burma for two days next week(November 3 and 4). Spokesman Robert Wood says the two will meet withmembers of the government as well as the opposition, including Aung SanSuu Kyi.
Her lawyer, Nyan Win, who also is a spokesman for theopposition National League for Democracy, told reporters Saturday thatthe U.S. embassy in Rangoon is making arrangements with the party forthe meeting.
The United States and the United Nations arepressing Burma to release all political prisoners so they canparticipate in next year's election. But rights groups say Burmeseauthorities have arrested more opponents of the regime in just the pasttwo weeks, including about 10 local journalists.
Burma isstill holding hundreds of political prisoners. Aung San Suu Kyi hasspent 14 of the past 20 years under some form of detention. Her housearrest was extended by an additional 18 months in August for allowingan uninvited American man to stay at her home without officialpermission.
U.S. Senator Jim Webb held a landmark meeting withBurma's military leader Than Shwe in August. He also was permitted tovisit with Aung San Suu Kyi.
Critics have said high-level U.S.visits from other countries give legitimacy to the military regime thatjails opponents. Aung San Suu Kyi has recently backed direct dialoguewith the military government.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. |
Sunday, 1 November 2009
VOA News
|
|
|
|
|
|
